Butchers and farm shops around the country are being invited to get involved with the ‘Bones for Bones’ leukaemia and lymphoma charity scheme, started by Cheerbrook Farm Shop in Nantwich, Cheshire.

The project sees butcher’s shops make fresh bones available for customers to take home to their dogs, in exchange for a small donation to blood cancer charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Cheerbrook owner Andrew Shufflebotham said: “We’ve been running Bones for Bones for a couple of years now and it has been really well supported. We had always provided bones for customers – they are a natural by-product and our skilled butchers cut through them to maximise taste for our furry companions.

“We decided it was a great opportunity to contribute as a business to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research by asking our generous customers for a small contribution in return for each bone. There are multiple benefits – the charity receives much-needed funds, we minimise wastage and support our sustainability objectives, and our four-legged friends are kept happy!”

The Nantwich farm shop raised almost £600 last year for the South Cheshire Branch of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, and is now working with the charity to encourage wider take-up of the scheme.

Creative agency Era Creative has contributed a logo design, which Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research can now supply to butcher’s and farm shops, along with a collection box and fundraising support.

The charity’s regional manager Catriona Tait said: “Bones for Bones is a great initiative and we really hope to encourage farm shops and butchers across the UK to get involved. The money raised will help us in our mission to beat blood cancer, improve the lives of all those affected and stop people from dying.”